Insulating handle for pliers



Oct. 13, 1936. F. J. M CLUSKEY INSULATING HANDLE FOR PLIERS Filed July 15, 1935 //Yl/ENTOB EPA/ya: J/Vc C2 UJKE) ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 13, 19 36 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSULATING HANDLE FOR PLIERS Application July 15, 1935, Serial No. 31,415

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to auxiliary handles for pliers and the like, and more specifically to insulating handles adapted for use in association with pliers and like tools employed by linemen, the predominant object of the invention being to provide improved insulating handles which may be quickly and conveniently applied to standard pliers and like tools, and when so applied to a tool provides the same with insulating handles which at once protect the user from electrical shocks and extend the length of the handles of the tool so that the reach thereof is considerably increased.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved insulating handles shown in association with a pair of standard pliers, portions of the insulating handles being broken away so as to permit of the view being drawn on a relatively large scale.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary edge View of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the manner in which a pair of pliers is applied to or removed from the improved insulating handles.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 44 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates a standard pair of pliers of the type used by linemen which is provided with the usual curved handles B. The improved insulating handles are designated generally by the reference character H, and each thereof includes a head portion I with which an elongated pole 2 is associated, said pole preferably being formed of wood treated to give it the required electrical insulating properties. The head portion l of each handle includes a socket portion 3, which receives an end portion of the associated pole 2, and a pin 4 which is extended through alinedapertures formed through the wall portion of the socket portion and through the pole secures said pole to the head portion l.

The head portion of each handle I-I includes an elongated extension 5 which is formed integral with and is extended outwardly from the socket portion 3 of the head portion, said extension being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. By referring to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the extension 5 of each handle includes a wall 6 from which are extended spaced walls 1 and 8, and the inner faces of said Walls 1 and 8 have the shapes illustrated in Fig. 1. In other words, the outer portion l of the inner face of the wall I is substantially straight while the inner portion 1 of said inner face of the wall 1 is curved. Also, the outer portion 8 of the inner face of the wall 8 is curved while the inner portion 8 of said inner face of said wall 8 is straight. By providing the walls I and 8 of the extension 5 of the head portion l of each handle with spaced inner faces shaped as described, a cavity C is provided with each extension 5 of the shape shown in Fig. 1, which cavity corresponds, more or less, with the shape of the handles B of the tool A. The cavity C of each extension 5 is closed at three of its sides by the walls 6, l, and 8, and is open at its other side, and at the open side of the cavity at the point where the extension 5 joins the associated socket portion 3 a lug 9 is provided, said lug being extended from said socket portion, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3.

At the outer end of the extension 5 of the head portion l of each handle H a portion In is provided through which a rectangular opening I l is formed which is closed on four sides by wall portions. By referring to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the opening ll referred to is arranged with its major axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the major axis of the extension, and that a portion of a wall of the opening located at one side thereof is provided with a short portion H which is arranged parallel with the major axis of the extension. Each extension 5 is provided with bosses l2 and I3 formed respectively on the outer faces of the walls I and 8. Screw-threaded openings are formed through these bosses and through the said walls I and 8,

and set screws I 4 and I5 are arranged in said screw-threaded openings. Also, the head portion of each handle includes an integrally formed strengthening rib l6, which extends from the socket portion 3 to the location of the boss l2.

When the improved insulating handles are to be applied to handles of a standard pliers or like tool, the set screws I4 and I5 are unscrewed so as to withdraw their inner end portions from the cavities C of the extensions 5 of the handles. The pair of pliers is then arranged relative'to one of the handles H at the approximate angle illustrated in Fig. 3, and a handle of the pliers is passed downwardly at such angle through the opening ll of the extension 5 of said handle 1-1. When the handle of the pliers has been moved to the proper position relative to the extension 5 of the handle H, said pliers handle is moved laterally into the cavity C, the pliers handle at this time being short of contact with the lug 9. When the pliers handle has been moved laterally into the cavity C as described, the relative shapes of the cavity and the pliers handle permits of slight additional inward movement of the pliers handle relative to the extension 5 of the handle H, and this additional movement will move the extreme end portion of the pliers handle behind the lug 9 so as to prevent accidental lateral movement of the pliers handle relative to the extension 5. The set screws [4 and I5 are then screwed into contact with the pliers handle to securely clamp the handle H and the pliers handle together.

After one handle H has been applied to one of the pliers handles as described, the second handle H is applied to the other pliers handle in a like manner, and the pair of pliers with the insulating handles H associated therewith isready for use.

It will be noted that the open ends of the cavities C of an associated pair of insulating handles face in opposite directions. This is done so that the handles of an associated pair of handles are duplicates in construction, thereby eliminating the need for different patterns for the manufacture of different handles, and doing away with annoyance and inconvenience of selecting certain handles when the handles H are being applied to pliers. Also, the diameters of the poles are such that said poles will spring slightly when excessive pressure is applied thereto, and thus the pliers are protected from being broken by such excessive pressures.

When the insulating handles are to be removed from the pliers the set screws I4 and I5 are backed out of the cavities C and in turn each pliers handle is drawn outwardly a slight distance to permit the lug 9 to clear the outer end of said pliers handle. The handle H is then moved to the angular position relative to the pliers illustrated in Fig. 3, thus withdrawing the pliers handle from the cavity 0 of said handle H and permitting the pliers handle to be drawn outwardly through the opening I I.

It will be noted that the set screws l4 and I5 are so located that they serve with the curved portions of the inner faces of the walls I and 8 of the extensions 5 to properly transmit pressures from the handles H to the pliers handles B, whereby rigid, efiicient connection between the handles H and the pliers handles B is provided.

I claim:

1. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like, comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, fixed means for confining the pliers handle within said cavity, and means associated with each of said handle structures for attaching same to the pliers handle.

2. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, fixed means for confining the pliers handle within said cavity, and set screws associated with each of said handle structures for attaching same to the pliers handle.

3. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion, said head portion having a cavity formed therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, means at opposite ends of said cavity for confining the pliers handle within said cavity, and means associated with each of said handle structures for attaching same to the pliers handle.

4. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion including an elongated extension, said extension having a cavity formed longitudinally therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, means at an end of said extension provided with an opening disposed in an angular position with respect to said extension through which the pliers handle associated with said head is extended, and means associated with said handle structure for attaching same to the pliers handles.

5. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion including an elongated extension, said extension having a cavity formed longitudinally therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, means at an end of said extension provided with an opening disposed in an angular position with respect to said extension and adapted to receive the pliers handle, a lug at the opposite end of said extension for confining an end portion of the pliers handle within said cavity, and means associated with said handle structure for attaching same to the pliers handles.

6. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion including an elongated extension, said extension having a cavity formed longitudinally therein adapted to receive a handle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers. handle, means at an end of said extension provided with an opening disposed in an angular position with respect to said extension and adapted to receive the pliers handle, a lug at the opposite end of said extension for confining an end portion of the pliers handle within said cavity, and means associated with said handle structure for attaching same to the pliers handles, said means comprising set screws located at opposite sides of said cavity and adapted to be screwed intocontact with the pliers handle located within said cavity.

7. Auxiliary handles for pliers and the like comprising a pair of handle structures including each a head portion including an elongated extension, said extension having a cavity formed longitudinally therein adapted to receive a han- 1 dle of a pair of pliers, said cavity being open at one of its sides and having a shape that resembles the shape of the pliers handle, means at an end of said extension provided with an opening disposed in an angular position with respect to said extension and adapted to receive the pliers handle, a lug at the opposite end of said extension for confining an end portion of the pliers handle within said cavity, and means associated with said handle structure for attaching same i.

FRANCIS J. MCCLUSKEY. 

